quienes
“quienes” means “those who” in Spanish (as the subject of a clause).
those who, whom
Also: the ones who
📝 In Action
Los doctores, **quienes** trabajan en la noche, necesitan más descanso.
B1The doctors, **who** work at night, need more rest.
Ellos son los amigos **a quienes** dediqué mi libro.
B2They are the friends **to whom** I dedicated my book.
Había muchas personas, pero solo unos pocos eran **quienes** sabían la respuesta.
C1There were many people, but only a few were **those who** knew the answer.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: quienes
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'quienes'?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Old Spanish word *quien*, which itself evolved from the Latin *quem* (meaning 'whom'). The plural form developed in Spanish to clearly indicate a group.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish period (around 13th century)
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between *quienes* and *quiénes*?
The accent mark is critical! *Quienes* (no accent) is a connector that links two parts of a sentence (a relative pronoun). *Quiénes* (with an accent) is used to ask a question, either directly (*¿Quiénes vienen?* - Who is coming?) or indirectly.
Can I use 'quienes' to refer to a single person?
No. *Quienes* is strictly plural. If you are talking about one person, you must use the singular form, *quien*.